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It's rare to find a completely undamaged set of dinner plates; chips and abrasions are practically a fact of life. You can repair very small chips using only enamel paint, but you need something with more body for larger repairs. Two-part epoxy glue or putty fills the bill nicely, but find a product with a fast setting time. A 5-minute product stiffens quickly, allowing you to mold it into the shape you need, fill the chip, touch up the repair with enamel paint, and complete the job in less than 30 minutes.

1

Mix a small amount of epoxy glue or epoxy putty with the hardener that comes with it, following the manufacturer's instructions. A typical mix ratio is 1-to-1. Mix it on a disposable piece of cardboard with a toothpick.

2

Wait about a minute for the mixture to stiffen; then apply it to the paint chip, using the toothpick. If you use a slower-setting product, you'll have to wait longer for it to stiffen. Don't apply the mixture while it's too runny, or it will flow out of the area you're trying to fill.

3

Cut a small piece of waxed paper; put it over the repair; press the glue or putty into shape with your fingers; then remove the paper. Waxed paper prevents the glue from sticking to your fingers, and it leaves a smooth surface.

4

Let the glue or putty set completely; then sand the area lightly with 400-grit sandpaper to feather the edges of the repair into the plate.

5

Color the repair with a dab of gloss enamel paint that matches the plate using an artist's paintbrush. Wait 24 hours before using the plate.

Things You Will Need

Epoxy glue or epoxy putty

Cardboard

Waxed paper

400-grit sandpaper

Enamel paint for ceramic and glass

Tip

You can use epoxy to repair fairly large chips around the edge of the plate, but you may have to wait a little extra time for it to stiffen enough to keep its shape when you apply it.

About the Author

Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies.